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Baltimore Choral Arts Names Adam Frank as Executive Director

New leader's first season opener – “American Belonging” – explores American identity through choral music old and new

(Baltimore, MD) – Baltimore Choral Arts Society (Choral Arts) announced today that experienced nonprofit arts leader Adam Frank will become its next executive director,  permanently taking on the role after joining the 60-year-old vocal organization in an interim capacity earlier this year. Frank’s appointment comes as Choral Arts opens its 61st season on Oct. 18 with “American Belonging,” a concert featuring  classics of musical Americana and new works exploring American ideals of welcome, resilience and opportunity for all.

"As a tenor myself, I understand firsthand the power of choral music and the connection and community that comes from singing together,” said Frank. “Baltimore Choral Arts has an extraordinary legacy, and I believe we have an exciting opportunity to build on it by bringing new audiences into the art form, expanding our commitment to music education, and deepening our connections throughout the Baltimore region. ‘American Belonging’ is a great example of where we are headed, and I’m thrilled to work alongside Music Director Anthony Blake Clark, our singers, board and staff to shape what comes next.”

Frank comes to Choral Arts with a background in professional theater management. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of Baltimore Center Stage, where he helped grow attendance and revenue, establish a new strategic plan and launch new educational and community initiatives. Prior to coming to Baltimore, Frank served in leadership, general management, marketing and artistic roles at theaters and festivals on both coasts of the United States, including New York City’s Waterwell and The Public Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Los Angeles Music Center. He holds an MFA in Theater Management from the Yale School of Drama (renamed the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale in 2021) and an MBA from Yale School of Management.

"Choral Arts is at an exciting point in its history, with an opportunity to build on 60 years of excellence while being more ambitious about what choral music can mean to our community,” said Clark. “Adam understands that vision and brings both the experience and leadership to help us realize it. Having him as a partner gives us the opportunity to think bigger about how we serve our audiences, singers, students and the broader Baltimore community.”

Baltimore Choral Arts is set to begin its new season with “American Belonging” on Oct. 18 at the Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College. With author and WBJC host Judith Krummeck as guide, the program features American choral repertoire inspired by our nation’s ideals, including classics such as Randall Thompson’s Frostiana, a setting of Robert Frost Poems, alongside new favorites by American composers, both immigrant and natural-born, including Saunder Choi, Rich Campbell and Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw. 

“As we looked toward the future of Baltimore Choral Arts, it became clear that Adam is the right leader for this moment,” said Board President Charlie Berardesco. “He has already brought fresh thinking, strong management and a real understanding of the role Choral Arts can play in Baltimore and beyond. The board is excited about the direction Blake and Adam are setting together and confident in their ability to move Choral Arts forward and do great work for our community.”

 

Tickets, starting at $25, and subscriptions are now available at baltimorechoralarts.org. 

 

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About Baltimore Choral Arts Society (Choral Arts)

Fresh off its 60th season of musical innovation, Baltimore Choral Arts Society builds a stronger, more connected, more inspired community by celebrating the joy of choral music. With more than 150 singers based in Greater Baltimore, Choral Arts creates exceptional performances and partners with a wide variety of institutions to provide music education and access.

Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Anthony Blake Clark, The Symphonic Chorus, Chorus and Chamber Singers perform regularly with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic and other prominent ensembles, partner with leading institutions such as the Morgan State University Choir and Peabody Conservatory, and travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, in New York, and in Europe. Choral Arts also provides thoughtful and impactful music education initiatives that serve youth in and around Baltimore, including CoroLAB, a partnership with high school choral music programs; Vocal Fellows, a leadership opportunity for professional singers; and Sing and Play with Baltimore Choral Arts, a series of free music classes for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, presented in partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library and Kennedy Krieger Institute.